Welcome to the Australian Local Food System Policy Database. This is a collection of policies from New South Wales (NSW) and Victorian local governments that relate to healthy, sustainable, and equitable food systems.
For further information about using the database and how it was created see How to use the database. You can search the database by using the fields below. Domain refers to eight broad categories under which various topics are situated. The domains and topics are based on a framework of recommendations for local government action on creating a healthy, sustainable, and equitable food system (also located on the ‘How to use the database’ page linked above).
To cite the database: Reeve B, Carrad A, Rose N, Charlton K & Aguirre-Bielschowsky I (2021) Australian Local Food System Policy Database. Available at: https://law-food-systems.sydney.edu.au/policy-database (access date).
Suggested search terms
Hold Ctrl to select multiple terms. Using ‘any words’ functions as an “OR” search. Using ‘all words’ functions as and “AND” search.
Search Criteria:
| Document title | Relevant text in the policy | Domain | Topic | State | Local Government name | Council type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HousingStrategy | ADVoCATE The Council’s role as an advocate filters strongly through this strategy, and will play a pivotal role in its non-statutory implementation. For housing, there are many factors that are out of the control of local government. In particular, those that relate to State and Federal Government policy. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |
| HousingStrategy | Advocate on behalf of the local community to State and Federal Governments the need for policy initiatives directed towards increasing the affordability of homes especially for first home buyers on all income levels. Investigate the need for an Affordable Housing Action Plan, which may include actions to: • create a Marketing and Communication plan to advocate State and Federal Governments on affordable housing issues. The plan shall include, but not be limited to, effective communication on affordable housing needs and the impact of taxes and charges on the local community, home ownership and relocation • create a Marketing and Consultation Plan to encourage developers and landlords to consider building and leasing affordable housing • advocate the State Government to improve proportional supply of affordable housing in new residential developments. This includes introduction of Inclusionary Zoning provisions into the Victoria Planning Provisions • seek partnerships with other Councils and through the MAV to deliver advocacy actions • advocate for a support program to assist local residents experiencing housing stress • identify funding, land, buildings or any other resources that may be available to help create well located and well designed affordable housing in Banyule. M Advocate, Partner, Planner Completion of advocacy actions. Timeline for development of an Affordable Housing Action Plan. Priority H | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |
| HousingStrategy | Affordability The integration of ESD measures can improve housing affordability in the long term, in terms of household running costs. These costs relate to energy use, water use, waste disposal and transport costs. These factors are often overlooked in housing affordability. Another aspect of the relationship between affordability and the environment is the investigation of ways to improve the affordability of integrating ESD measures into new and existing housing. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |
| HousingStrategy | Affordability is an increasing concern for many Australian households on varying income levels. It is particularly a problem for those who are most socially and economically disadvantaged and becoming a bigger problem for others. A focus on improved housing options for socially & economically disadvantaged households will help to address many social problems throughout the municipality. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |
| HousingStrategy | Affordability: To have new State and Federal Government policy initiatives and local projects researched and implemented to improve the affordability of homes in Banyule. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |
| HousingStrategy | Affordability: To research and implement new State and Federal Government policy initiatives and local projects to improve the affordability of homes in Banyule. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |
| HousingStrategy | An increase in barrier-free housing development that serves the needs of residents of all abilities and across all stages of their lifestyle, thus reducing the need for costly relocation. Research into cooperative housing that could provide an affordable housing option for households on low incomes. Greater provision of housing options, reducing the need for residents to live in more costly and undesirable dwelling formats. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |
| HousingStrategy | As students continue to be forced to look for smaller, more affordable accommodation, there may be a greater demand for apartments near railway stations and major bus routes in Banyule. Affordability may be improved in these locations by encouraging developers to provide less car spaces in developments close to Activity Centres and public transport. However this must be offset by exemplar integration of pedestrian and cycling infrastructure and design in developments. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |
| HousingStrategy | Council’s advocacy role could include making representations to State or Federal Government departments and agencies in relation to: – developing planning tools to ensure the provision of affordable housing – increasing provision of public housing in the municipality – improving public transport and transport policy. – changes to economic policies that increase the housing cost. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |
| HousingStrategy | Diversity: To encourage high quality housing stock that complements the existing and preferred neighbourhood character whilst satisfying the needs of a diverse range of residents from all ages, family types, ethnicities, incomes and aspirations. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |
| HousingStrategy | enable a greater proportion of households to reside in housing formats that are more economically sustainable. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |
| HousingStrategy | Environmental Sustainability outcomes Encouragement of high quality, welldesigned affordable housing that incorporates ESD measures. Economic Sustainability outcomes Social Sustainability outcomes Increase in the affordability of housing for all residents by pressuring State and Federal Governments, to address the needs of lower and middle income earners. Increase in the number of affordable houses for low-income households through the establishment of local developer incentives. Development and implementation of an Affordable Housing Action Plan. An increase in the supply of public housing. Greater equality in the geographical distribution of affordable housing for low-income households. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |
| HousingStrategy | Given the ageing of the local community, there is an opportunity for Council to advocate for the longterm economic and social benefits that will arise by improved building standards that enable new houses to be more accessible for those with a disability. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |
| HousingStrategy | Local Government has a very limited role in addressing the macro-economic parameters that affect housing affordability. It can provide frameworks and take action to promote affordable solutions by addressing density, zones, housing type, standards and considering innovative options. Council needs to be working at the ‘coal face’ of the community in order to recognise community needs and solutions. Local Government can also advocate the need for legislative changes at the Federal and State level. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |
| HousingStrategy | More evenly dispersed affordable housing would encourage diversity and would reduce socio-economic polarisation in the municipality. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |
| HousingStrategy | More social and economically disadvantaged people now live in well-designed homes. There are more affordable, innovative and equitably distributed housing options available to the local community. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |
| HousingStrategy | NEGATIVE PERCEPTIoNS oF MEDIUM AND HIGHER DENSITy DEVELoPMENT There is a commonly-held view among many residents that medium and higher-density development poses a threat to established residential areas. This is resulting in negative perceptions of this housing. These perceptions are likely to be associated with poor quality design in some developments. This could be addressed with a well-designed communication strategy and campaign. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |
| HousingStrategy | Policy intervention may be required to ensure that housing meets the needs of groups such as older persons, those with disabilities, indigenous and ethnic communities and particularly those that want to remain in the local area. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |
| HousingStrategy | PRoVIDER In the implementation of the Housing Strategy, the Council may act as a provider, either directly or indirectly for housing. In a direct sense, Council may choose to investigate opportunities for affordable housing on land it develops for changing community needs. In an indirect sense, it may provide access to education in relation to housing issues and solutions, and services or programs for individuals or households within the municipality. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |
| HousingStrategy | STATUToRy IMPLEMENTATIoN There is a need to update the Neighbourhood Character Study to identify areas of significant character, areas that have particular elements that require protection, and locations that could accommodate additional growth or redevelopment. Appropriate statutory policy options should then be applied in order to carefully manage growth. Alternative planning scheme zones and overlays could be explored as tools to protect or enhance the character of certain areas. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |
| HousingStrategy | Strategy 2.1.1: Develop an Affordable Housing Action Plan that addresses specific affordability issues across Banyule. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |
| HousingStrategy | Strategy 2.2.1: Encourage more affordable housing for Banyule’s low income households. Investigate opportunities to work with housing providers and developers on projects to enable well-located and welldesigned affordable housing. Provide incentives for developers to include a proportion of well-located and well-designed affordable housing in new residential developments. These may include consideration for smaller houses that do not compromise any preferred neighbourhood character standards. Partner, Planner Planner Number of houses required by Council to be affordable over a period of time. Timeline for the development of a policy to provide incentives for developers to provide affordable housing. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |
| HousingStrategy | Strategy 2.3.1: Identify Banyule’s demand for social housing. Strategy 2.3.2: Increase the supply of public housing in Banyule, in local suburbs with an identified deficiency. Encourage the State Government to research local area demand for social housing across Melbourne. Supply an overview analysis to illustrate local need and opportunity. Encourage the State Government to increase the supply of well-located public housing across Melbourne. Supply an overview analysis to illustrate local need and opportunity. Advocate Advocate Timeline for the development of a research program. Supply of public housing located within Banyule, as a proportion of the amount of public housing in demand. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |
| HousingStrategy | Strategy 2.4.1: Do research to identify locations in Banyule that are lacking in affordable housing options. Encourage the State Government to provide more high quality, well located affordable housing that integrates with the preferred character of the area and across all sections of the community. Advocate Number or proportion of affordable houses for middle and low income households in each suburb of Banyule. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |
| HousingStrategy | Strategy 3.1.1: Facilitate the development of housing that provides for a wide range of local household types. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |
| HousingStrategy | Strategy 3.2.5: Develop programs to support local Indigenous communities in meeting their housing needs. Encourage the State Government to do research into local-area housing issues facing the Indigenous community. Encourage an adequate supply of mainstream public housing. Encourage the Office of Housing to reduce the barriers that inhibit Indigenous access to mainstream public housing. Strategy 3.2.6: Increase the supply of crisis and transitional housing and associated services to meet local demand. Advocate for the funding of additional crisis and transitional housing. Encourage the State Government to improve timely access to services that assist people with complex needs in finding appropriate housing. Provide support to these services. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |
| HousingStrategy | Strategy 4.2.1: In the review of Banyule’s Neighbourhood Character Study, establish a preferred character for public housing areas. Establish partnerships with the DPCD and the Office of Housing to develop an approach to better integrate new and existing public housing into surrounding residential areas. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |
| HousingStrategy | The Affordability theme is focused on the economics of housing cost. Australia is approaching an affordability crisis. Local government can play a substantial role in advocating to governments about economic policies that negatively impact on housing affordability. It can also investigate local initiatives to improve housing affordability. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |
| HousingStrategy | THE CHARACTER oF PUBLIC HoUSING The neighbourhood character and appearance of public housing areas are in need of further attention. Continued involvement in the Neighbourhood Renewal Program in Heidelberg West, as well as further initiatives in partnership with the Department of Sustainability and Environment and the Office of Housing will help community perceptions of public housing areas improve. | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |
| HousingStrategy | There is an opportunity for Council to explore a coordinated approach for advocacy and other actions that promote improved housing affordability in Banyule. This can be done by investigating the development of an Affordable Housing Action Plan | Social Policy | Affordable housing | Victoria | Banyule | Metropolitan |